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I listen to the Up and In podcast at Baseball Prospectus with Kevin Goldstein and Jason Parks, a prospect heavy show. They've been doing a lot of work on what goes wrong with prospects, specifically ones with high ceilings but raw tools. The general finding was that the raw players that actually became what people hoped for were the ones that showed instinct and feel for the game very early on. There is little doubt Hamilton fits this mold so far considering his record pace in SB's, his vast improvement at the plate, strong defensive profile, and switch hitting ability. I'm more and more encouraged by Hamilton's progress when I hear things like this.

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Hamilton's ability to hit at the major league level is still a question that is a long way from being answered but I will go out on a limb and say this: without a doubt, he will eventually be moved to center field. There are many reasons, but bottom line, it will happen.

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Originally Posted by redsof72

Hamilton's ability to hit at the major league level is still a question that is a long way from being answered but I will go out on a limb and say this: without a doubt, he will eventually be moved to center field. There are many reasons, but bottom line, it will happen.

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

I think I might be able to answer my own question.

Range is really Hamilton's only plus ability defensively. His footwork gets sloppy and scouts debate whether he has the arm for the left side of the infield, with most wanting to see him end up in centerfield.

Because you don't move guys off SS until you are absolutely positive they can't handle it. The Reds obviously still hold out some hope that his defense will continue to improve. He is clearly athletic enough for the position.

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Originally Posted by Steve4192

Because you don't move guys off SS until you are absolutely positive they can't handle it. The Reds obviously still hold out some hope that his defense will continue to improve. He is clearly athletic enough for the position.

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

From BA:

The worst thing a pitcher could see is Reds SS Billy Hamilton getting a lead off first base. The bad news for California League pitchers is that the Bakersfield shortstop has gotten much better at figuring out how to get to first. Hamilton, 21, was 7-for-29 this week with one extra-base hit, but he drew eight walks compared to four strikeouts, which allowed him to still swipe 12 bases in 15 attempts. Hamilton has walked 22 times compared to 17 strikeouts this month. The Cal League's hitting environments don't hurt, but Hamilton has managed to significantly cut his strikeout rate this year while upping his walk rate, it's a great combination for a leadoff hitter

But yeah, he's a horrible base stealer despite his 80% success rate and that everyone and their mother knows he's on the move.
And he's a horrid hitter despite the California League's atmosphere being condusive to almost every type of hitter except him.
And he's a poor athelte because... well, because he can't hit with power. Which, as we all know, is one of the main components of athleticism as it's defined and judged by 99.99% of the known world.

Hamilton is a remarkable player just scratching the surface of his abilities. He learned how to switch hit three years ago. He learned how to bunt remarkably well last season. He's learned patience at the plate. He's struck out in 10% less of his total ABs than when he started and 5% less than last season.

In short, the guy's showing enough improvement to be a great prospect.

"You can learn little from victory. You can learn everything from defeat."
-- Christy Matthewson
"Show me a good loser and I'll show you an idiot."
-- Leo Durocher

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

In short, the guy's showing enough improvement to be a great prospect.

I agree. The rapid improvement as a hitter is telling.

Plus, the asterisk to Hamilton as a prospect is the buzz he brings to the crowd. Reds fans are more passive than most, I would say, but if Hamilton continues to progress and ends up a viable major league leadoff hitter, he's going to energize the ballpark. When that happens, more folks are going to want to be there. He's potentially a difference maker in more ways than one.

"Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

In short, the guy's showing enough improvement to be a great prospect.

I agree. The rapid improvement as a hitter -- alongside the basestealing explosion -- is telling.

Plus, the asterisk to Hamilton as a prospect is the buzz he brings to the crowd. Reds fans are more passive than most, I would say, but if Hamilton continues to progress and ends up a viable major league leadoff hitter, he's going to energize the ballpark. When that happens, more folks are going to want to be there. He's potentially a difference maker in more ways than one.

"Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Originally Posted by redsof72

Hamilton's ability to hit at the major league level is still a question that is a long way from being answered but I will go out on a limb and say this: without a doubt, he will eventually be moved to center field. There are many reasons, but bottom line, it will happen.

Right now the Reds have two young players at both positions that are under control for the next several years.

Drew Stubbs is under control until 2015 and Zach Cozart is under control until 2017 I think....

For Billy to move to the majors one of these two players will need to be moved. For the Reds its a nice situation to have.... They have to decide which one they like more.

The other wildcard is Philips he is 31 right now, Billy's Eta is around 14 to 15 depending on how he advances which means Brandon will be 33 or 34, will he slow down and be looked at for the hot corner?

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Right now the Reds have two young players at both positions that are under control for the next several years.

Drew Stubbs is under control until 2015 and Zach Cozart is under control until 2017 I think....

For Billy to move to the majors one of these two players will need to be moved. For the Reds its a nice situation to have.... They have to decide which one they like more.

The other wildcard is Philips he is 31 right now, Billy's Eta is around 14 to 15 depending on how he advances which means Brandon will be 33 or 34, will he slow down and be looked at for the hot corner?

As others have said, I think Hamilton is destined for CF. I think his likely ETA is 2014. I think it is likely Stubbs is traded by that point, as he will start getting more and more expensive once he's arbitration eligible. Barring major trades or FA signings, the 2014 lineup will look like this IMO:

Re: Will Billy Hamilton be moved to CF?

Originally Posted by Benihana

As others have said, I think Hamilton is destined for CF. I think his likely ETA is 2014. I think it is likely Stubbs is traded by that point, as he will start getting more and more expensive once he's arbitration eligible. Barring major trades or FA signings, the 2014 lineup will look like this IMO:

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